“The Rainy Day Railroad War” by Holman Day is an adventurous novel set against the backdrop of 19th-century railroad construction. The story revolves around the challenges and conflicts associated with building a railroad in a rural setting. The plot centers on the intense engineering and construction efforts required to complete the railroad, highlighting the various obstacles faced by those involved. As the character’s grapple with technical difficulties and logistical issues, they also encounter political intrigue and economic interests that threaten to derail their progress. The novel introduces elements of mystery and sabotage, as rival factions and business competitors engage in underhanded tactics to undermine the railroad project. Amidst the drama and conflict, the story showcases act of heroism and teamwork as the protagonists strive to overcome these challenges and ensure the success of the railroad. Overall, “The Rainy Day Railroad War” offers a thrilling exploration of the complexities of railroad construction, blending adventure, conflict, and mystery to create a compelling narrative about the struggle to build a vital piece of infrastructure in the face of adversity.
Holman Francis Day, an American author, was born in Vassalboro, Maine. The Holman Day House, his residence in Auburn, Maine, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Rider of the King Log, based on his book, was filmed in 1921. Along Came Ruth, based on his play, was filmed in 1924. Day married Helen Gerald, the only daughter of Amos F. Gerald, a railroad engineer, and Caroline W. Rowell. She died in 1902 at the age of 32 and was buried at Maplewood Cemetery in her father's birthplace of Fairfield, Maine; Day, on the other hand, was buried in Nichols Cemetery in his hometown of Vassalboro, Maine, after dying in 1935. He graduated from Colby College (class of 1887) and worked as the Union Publishing Company's managing editor in Bangor, Maine, from 1889 to 1890. He was also the editor and owner of the Dexter Gazette in Maine, a special writer for the Journal in Lewiston, a Boston Herald representative, and the managing editor of the Lewiston Daily Sun. From 1901 until 1904, he served as the military secretary to Maine Governor John F Hill. He moved to Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, in the 1920s.
